US law firm Squire Patton Boggs is to open an office in Atlanta with three Dentons partners launching the business. Wayne Bradley, Petrina Hall McDaniel and Ann-Marie McGaughey will join the firm as partners in Squire Patton's 18th US office and 47th worldwide. The group have expertise in  transactional, litigation and cybersecurity work. 'Atlanta is home to a vibrant and growing business community where we already have clients and contacts. Planting our flag now with a seasoned and diverse team with both deep local connections and premiere international relationships presents an exciting opportunity for us to hit the ground running,' Steve Mahon, Squire Patton Boggs’ global managing partner for clients and strategy, said.

Dynamic group

The office will be run by Ann-Marie McGaughey who becomes managing partner of the new Atlanta office. Mark Ruehlmann, chair and global CEO of Squire Patton Boggs said: 'We have long had interest in building upon our existing ties in Atlanta and the addition of this dynamic group gives us a natural entry point into one of the country’s largest and most exciting markets.' With the addition of this team, the firm’s new Atlanta office will offer clients an array of transactional and disputes capabilities, including corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, class action, privacy and data protection.